Thursday, September 20, 2012

Warwickshire Manorial Records going online

Fines for playing tennis, selling shoes before o’clock in the afternoon, or being an ale house haunter, are just some of the penalties in force in Warwickshire 600 years ago.
Documents detailing such historical gems can be found in the Warwickshire Manorial Records which will soon be available to the public.

Warwickshire County Council launched the Manorial Documents Register at an event at Warwickshire County Record Office earlier this week.
The register contains information about the location of court rolls, surveys, maps and documents about land boundaries from medieval times and can be accessed by anyone at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr.

Charges issued by 17th century court leets include:

A pain (fine) on tanners and shoemakers that they offer not wares to sell before one of the clock in the afternoon

The churchwardens to search for ale house haunters and others that come not to church on Sunday on pain (fine) of 10s

Mark Ryder, Head of Localities and Community Safety said, “These records contain a rich and fascinating history about life in Warwickshire in the late middle ages. The database will signpost people to the relevant sources and will help to bring medieval history to everyone’s fingertips.

“In Warwickshire we are lucky to have three remaining court leets located in Alcester, Henley in Arden and Warwick who continue these ancient traditions, two leets will be at the event next Monday.”

The project was run by the County Council’s Archives team with funding from The National Archives.
In addition to the launch it is possible to book a place for a Manorial Records talk on Monday 29 October 10am-12pm at the Record Office.

More details are available on 01926 738959 or via recordoffice@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Further information about the project and the launch is available from Sam Collenette, Archives and Historic Environment Manager, Warwickshire County Council on 01926 738950.